That little bit of wiggle in vinyl sashes is pretty typical, especially in the mid-range lines like Simonton. It helps keep things from binding up as temps change, but yeah, it can be a magnet for pet hair and dust. I’ve seen folks use a soft brush vacuum attachment to keep the tracks cleaner—works decently if you stay on it.
Noise-wise, you’re spot on. Dual-pane vinyl cuts down a lot compared to old single glass, but unless you go for something beefier like laminated or triple-pane, you’ll still get some city soundtrack sneaking in. Not all bad though—I’ve had people tell me they miss the street sounds when it gets too quiet... guess there’s no perfect setup.
That’s funny, I actually kinda like a little city noise too—total silence feels weird, like I’m in a vacuum or something. For the wiggle, does it ever get worse over time? I’m curious if it gets sloppy after a few years or if it pretty much stays the same.
Yeah, the wiggle can get worse if you go with cheaper windows or if the install wasn’t done right. Over time, frames can loosen up, especially with a lot of temperature swings or if your house settles much. Simonton’s mid-range stuff usually holds up, but I’ve seen some older installs where the sashes felt looser after a few years. Are you in a spot with big temp changes, or is it pretty mild year-round? That can make a difference.
Over time, frames can loosen up, especially with a lot of temperature swings or if your house settles much.
That’s the part I worry about. My place is almost 100 years old and shifts a bit every season. Even with decent install, I’ve seen a little movement around the frames. Anyone actually had Simontons last more than 10 years without getting drafty? I like the price, but I’m skeptical about long-term tightness.
I hear you on that—my house is from the 1920s and nothing ever stays perfectly square for long. I put in Simontons about 8 years ago and they’re still holding up alright, but I do feel a bit of a draft in one of the bedrooms now. Could be shifting, could be the install, hard to say. Has anyone tried adding extra insulation around the frames after the fact, or is that just a bandaid?
Has anyone tried adding extra insulation around the frames after the fact, or is that just a bandaid?
Funny you mention that—I had a similar issue in our old place (built in the ‘30s, so I feel your pain with shifting walls). We put in Simontons about 10 years ago, and for the most part, they’ve been solid. But I did get a draft in the dining room last winter. Ended up pulling off the trim and using low-expansion spray foam around the frame. It helped, but I won’t pretend it’s a miracle fix. If the window or wall keeps moving, you’re just chasing the problem every few years.
Still, it’s better than nothing, especially if you don’t want to rip everything out. I’d call it a decent stopgap, not a real solution if the movement is ongoing. Honestly, with these old houses, sometimes you just have to pick your battles. Insulation helps, but it won’t make the window itself any more square if the house keeps settling.
Insulation helps, but it won’t make the window itself any more square if the house keeps settling.
That’s spot on. You can seal up those gaps, but if the frame keeps shifting, you’ll probably end up redoing it down the line. Still, low-expansion foam is a solid move for drafts—definitely not pointless, just not a cure-all. Sometimes it’s about making the best of what you’ve got, especially with older homes. At least it buys you some comfort for a while.
Sometimes it’s about making the best of what you’ve got, especially with older homes.
That’s the truth. We had to shim one of our old window frames just to get the new sash to fit right—definitely not a perfect fix, but it helped with drafts. Out of curiosity, has anyone noticed Simonton windows holding up well in houses that shift a bit over time? I’m wondering if they flex enough or if you end up back at square one.
We had to shim one of our old window frames just to get the new sash to fit right—definitely not a perfect fix, but it helped with drafts.
That’s pretty much the story with older houses—nothing is ever square or plumb. I’ve put in Simonton windows in a couple of 1920s bungalows, and here’s what I’ve noticed: the vinyl frames do have a bit of give, so minor shifting hasn’t caused any major issues in the first five years or so. But if your foundation moves a lot, you might see the sashes start to stick or the locks get tricky to line up.
One thing that helps is making sure you get the window as square as possible during install, even if the wall itself isn’t. I usually use shims and check the diagonals a few times before sealing everything up. If you rush that, you’ll definitely be “back at square one” like you said.
Long-term, vinyl can flex a bit, but it’s not a magic bullet if your house is really settling. If you’re in an area with a lot of movement, maybe consider wood windows with flexible caulk, but then you’re trading off low maintenance for adjustability. Just my two cents from crawling around in too many drafty attics...
That’s the life with old houses, right? Nothing lines up, nothing’s easy. I had to shim every single window in my 1935 place when I put Simontons in—felt like I was building a puzzle with warped pieces. But honestly, they’ve held up better than I expected. Sure, if your foundation does a dance, you’ll have to baby them a bit. Still, fixing drafts is a win in my book. You did what needed doing.